What We Ate Wednesday #3

Hi! After two weeks of failing to do my WWAW post, I'm finally back! 3rd times a charm, right? Today I have two dinner recipes and one side/snack recipe. They are all, as Brylee says, delicious! 

Snack/Side

Sweet Potato Fries

To say we love sweet potatoes around here is an understatement. We cannot get enough of them. It's something all three of us eat and never complain about. Not only are they tasty, they are good for you too. 

Here's what ya need:

2-4 sweet potatoes (depending on size)

2 Tbsp olive oil

pepper

garlic salt

paprika

Preheat oven to 450°

Spray cookie sheet with Pam. Set aside. 

Scrub potatoes clean. You can totally peel them, but we like the skin. Cut them into fries. Move them to a large mixing bowl.

In a small mixing bowl combine oil and spices. I don't measure on spices, just don't overdo the garlic! Pour mixture onto fries and toss them around making sure they each get coated. If you think they need more, add, just be careful not to add too much oil. 

Spread onto cookie sheet and bake for 20 minutes, turning once halfway through. Let cool, serve with some honey, and enjoy!

Dinner

Meatballs

This is a total win for Brylee. She doesn't care for meatloaf, but put it in a ball form and she'll eat it. Weird kid. For the record, it's the same recipe. Ha!

Here's what ya need:

1 lb hamburger meat

1 egg

3/4 cup Italian breadcrumbs (any kind work great too)

3/4 cup milk

1/4 cup ketchup

1 Tbsp. Worcestershire sauce

1/4 tsp salt

1/4 tsp pepper

1/4 tsp season salt

For the topping:

1 Tbsp Worcestershire sauce

1/2 cup ketchup

1/4 cup brown sugar

Preheat over to 375°

Spray cookie sheet with Pam. Set aside.

In one bowl, mix together dry ingredients and in another mix everything else. Once the meat mixture is finished, add in the dry ingredients. Form into ball shapes and place onto baking sheet. I can usually make about 8-10 with this recipe.

Mix together ingredients for topping but DON'T put it on just yet. I always just stick mine in the fridge until it's time.

 Cook for 30 minutes. Remove, add topping, and cook for an additional 15 minutes.  Remove and let it sit for about 5-7 minutes. These are great paired with the above Sweet Potato Fries! :)

Melt In Your Mouth Chicken

At my going away party in Odessa, my Nana gave me a cookbook she made. Some of it was family recipes and some she had found elsewhere. It not only has recipes but it has all kinds of useful kitchen charts in it. I refer to it quite a bit. She has always been into scrapbooking so that's what the cookbook was. She wrote little notes on pages telling me who's favorites some recipes were and things she thought were good. Next to this recipe she wrote: "It is SO good, Nana!". It was the first recipe of the book I tried, rightfully so. Good job, Nana! This was so good!

Here's what ya need:

4 boneless skinless chicken breasts 

1/2 cup Parmesan cheese

1 cup plan Greek yogurt

1 tsp garlic salt

1 1/2 tsp season salt

1/2 tsp pepper

Preheat oven to 375°

Spray baking dish with Pam. 

In shallow bowl mix cheese and seasonings. 

Coat chicken with yogurt then cover with cheese mixture and add to baking dish. Cook for 45 minutes. You're welcome! ;) I made extra of this with chicken tenders instead of breasts and put it on a salad the next day for lunch. Still so good.

I hope you use and enjoy some of these recipes. Here are the previous ones if you want to check those out too. 

WWAW #1

WWAW #2

Bon Appetit- Leah.

 

What We Ate Wednesday | FAIL!

Happy Wednesday! Today so did not go as planned. I started a new workout with the Tone It Up gals and I love it, but after mine and B's little accident and going back home, I took two weeks off. Starting off this morning I was super sore but beyond that, my ankle was killing me! I use to play soccer and have had countless ankle injuries and now I'm paying for it. I stretched it out a bit and felt good enough to workout. So far so good. When the weather permits, I workout outside and today was one of those days. Brylee plays and I get my workout in early. About half way through my workout Brylee starts screaming bloody murder. She starts running towards me so I go get her and see black ants all over her feet! She was standing in an ant bed that she couldn't see. I dipped her feet into her water table to get all the ants off, rushed inside to pour bleach on her feet. I put itch cream and socks on and had her watch some TV while I watched her. She had never had an ant sting before so I wasn't sure if she was allergic to them or not. After 15 minutes or so I checked her and she did have tiny white bumps where they stung her but no swelling. Whew! I repeatedly added more itch cream throughout the day and she hasn't complained but once.

I finished my workout inside, made breakfast, picked up the house and got in the shower. It was close to 9:30 by then and I was getting a later start than normal. Today was a hair wash day so I knew it would take a bit longer to get ready. I got out of the shower, dried my hair and plugged in my curling iron. While waiting on it to get hot I decided to try my new self tanner.  The lady at Ulta said it was great and what she used so I thought I'd give it a try. Backtrack a bit... I've been using Loreal's Sublime Bronze and I do love it, but it only lasts a few days so I wanted something that would last a week at least so that led me to trying the Ulta brand tanning mousse. I was super excited. I did a few pumps on the mit and started sweeping it across my leg. Added a few more pumps and finished off the bottom part of my leg. So far, great. It doesn't have a bad odor and was fairly easy to apply. I went to add more tanner and the pump was clogged! What?! I took to the reviews and saw that it did do this with the clear pump (mine) but they fixed it with a new black pump. Some people did say that they dripped the liquid onto their leg and applied it just fine that way.... umm no. I tried that and It just spotted my leg. I tried to dab it onto my mit and apply and it streaked so bad. I contemplated my options... A) wear pants while it's 90° and humid B) wear shorts and hope to not have to explain myself to too many people or C) wash my legs off. I went with C. I pulled my hair up and got back in the shower. While I was in the shower my razor fell off the wall and when I leaned down to pick it up I slipped, didn't fall, but my dry hair was now wet. How nice. Fast forward a bit. It was about 1, I was cooking lunch and doing my make up. My mom called me and was curious why I was just now getting ready. I explained my morning to her and she laughed. Of course, I had to just laugh it off too.

After lunch we loaded up at went to run a few errands, taking my Ulta tanner back being one of them. First stop though, was frozen yogurt with my sweet girl! Best part of my day thus far. :)

On to Old Navy, Hobby Lobby and Petsmart. We have two of each here in McAllen but I went to the one across from the FroYo since they were all in that same shopping center. Easy one stop, right? Ha. Going from Hobby Lobby to Old Navy, about 3 stores apart, it started pouring on me so I ran the rest of the way. Of course those 3 stores would have no cover. I should have just gone back to my car because they didn't even have what I was looking for. Now to Petsmart where Brylee begged and begged for a kitten! Oh my. You should have seen the tears on this poor babies face. She had been asleep through everything, including the rain, and chose the pet store to wake up in. Awesome. Left there and it had just stopped raining but at this point, my twice dried hair was wet again, my clothes were still damp, but Brylee and my makeup still looked great!

Didn't go to Ulta. Didn't go to the Post Office. Did go home. Got home just in time to get dry and start dinner.

So obviously there is no WWAW today, maybe tomorrow, maybe not.

Here's to hoping Thursday is fantastic!
-Leah :)

What We Ate Wednesday #2

Hey y'all! I'm back with another WWAW! Still no graphic, but the series is here. Today Brylee and I went to the grocery store to get our weekly fresh things. I love the age she's at now. We have these little baskets that she can easily get in and out of so she loves to help me get groceries and put them in the basket. She helps me and it's a learning thing for her. For example:

"Brylee can you get me 3 lemons and put them in this bag"

She will count them out loud "one, two, fwee"

"What color are lemons?"

She looks around with this adorable look on her face and yells "YEWWO!" 

I love it! ;) She is such a people person and today another lady shopping asked if Brylee would also help her get some limes. B looked at me as if asking permission so when I told her to help she gladly did. Kind, sweet, smart and funny; she has such a lovely personality (including those terrible two tantrums that also do happen).  Now onto some great eats!

Breakfast

Peanut Butter Banana Cookies

These could also be used as a snack. I sometimes double the batch so they can be my breakfast one day and snack the rest of the week. I usually just put them in a baggie and they stay good in the fridge for about a week. These were another one of those 'throw a bunch of things together and let's see how they turn out' kind of meals and they are delicious and so easy to change up for your preference. 

Here's what ya need:

2 ripe bananas

2 Tbsp. Peanut Butter

1/2 Tbsp, Nutella (optional)

1 cup oats (any)

Mix ins (almonds, chocolate chips, raisins, etc)

Preheat oven to 350°

Spray cookie sheet with non stick spray, I use Pam. Set aside.

In a bowl mash up bananas with a fork. Add in the peanut butter and nutella and then add the oats. Last add in whatever 'mix in' you desire. For this batch I used raisins. 

Spoon onto cookie sheet. This recipe usually makes about 8 cookies, depending on how thick you want them. 

Back for 20-25 minutes and let them sit for 5. 

**I have made these with instant oatmeal, flavored oatmeal, steel cut oats.. all kinds. They still turn our great!**

Dinner

Crescent Roll Casserole

AKA: Cheeseburger Casserole. 

When Tate and I first got together he wanted to cook dinner one night. This was the first and last time he's ever cooked a full meal for me. (Note: he has totally helped me cook before, but he prefers not to.  Ha! He won't turn down grilling outside though). I wasn't expecting a four course meal and a four course meal I did not get. I got this. And it was so good! I make it at least once a week here because it's simple and everybody loves it. PS... don't judge my paper plates! Simple meal, simple clean up! :)

Here's what ya need:

1 can crescent rolls

1 lb hamburger meat

grated cheese

Preheat oven to 375°

Brown hamburger meat. 

Meanwhile, spray a 9x9 casserole dish with Pam. Put half of the crescent roll dough on the bottom of the pan. When the mean is cooked, add meat on top of dough, cover with cheese, and then put the other half of the dough on the top. You may have to stretch it out to completely cover. 

Bake for 12 -15 minutes (top should be golden brown) and let sit for 5 minutes.

Serve with macaroni and cheese and you're done!

See, so simple. Which is probably why Tate made it. :) 

**I think it would be so good adding some bacon, maybe some bbq sauce, grilled onions, ya know, burger kind of things, but Tate wants this exact thing.. no changes. One day I might just do it anyways. Let me know if you do!**

 

Italian Skillet Chicken

Get out your iron skillets, ladies! This one you start on the stove and end in the oven, all in the same skillet. If you don't have an iron skillet, totally fine! ;) I'll help ya with when/what to do. 

Here's what ya need:

4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts

2 Tbsp. olive oil

4 ripe tomatoes, diced

4 cloves minced garlic

2 Tbsp. Balsamic Vinegar

8 oz shredded mozzarella cheese

salt and pepper

First, salt and pepper both sides of chicken. Heat olive oil in skillet over medium heat. Cook chicken until brown on both sides, about 8 minutes. While chicken is cooking, dice tomatoes and garlic. 

When chicken is done, remove to a plate (or a baking dish if you don't have an iron skillet) and place tomatoes in skillet until they break down, about 5 minutes. Add minced garlic and balsamic vinegar. Cook for 2 minutes. 

Remove sauce from pan and into a bowl. Wipe out skillet with a paper towel and place chicken back in the skillet. Top with the tomato sauce and mozzarella cheese. Pile it high!  If you're not using a skillet, just pour the sauce directly on the chicken in the dish.

Place under broiler until cheese is melted and bubble. It should have a spotted brown color. 

I paired this with roasted potatoes and broccoli and crescent rolls.

Let me know if you try any of these. Enjoy!

Bon Appetit - Leah. :)

**Yes, I do realize it's Thursday. Let's just pretend I started and finished this post in one day instead of two and that day was yesterday. Deal? Okay, thanks.**

What We Ate Wednesday #1

So, before I went on my blog hiatus I said I was going to start a series on food. My sister is always wanting different recipes so I decided I would just put them here on the blog. Easy access for her and maybe you can get a new meal idea too! I originally was going to do 'What's For Dinner Wednesday' but when I decided to add breakfast and lunch on there as well, I changed it. I even had a little graphic and everything designed up too but I guess I'll just have to make a new one. :) 

Now, I said a while back that Tate asked me to meal plan for a month so we could just make one large grocery trip and then I could just go back by myself to get the fresh produce and anything we ran out of. I did! And it was actually quite easy. I took to my cookbooks, some of my favorite blogs and Pinterest and meal planned for a 4 week period. When I planned weekly, we would have four meals that we've had before and loved and then I would try at least two new meals. I used that same concept for the month, but decided to try a lot of new things or change up things we already love! I'll share some of our favorites each week. Now, on to the good stuff:

Breakfast

 Strawberry Cream Cheese Crescent Rolls

I only cook breakfast on Saturdays. Every other morning is quick and easy things or I make enough on Saturday to last all week. This one particular Saturday we had a bare fridge and pantry so I decided to take what I did have and make something up. They were delicious! Brylee and Tate loved them! 

Here's what ya need:

1 can of Crescent Rolls

1 cup strawberries - chopped

4 oz cream cheese

1 tsp. vanilla

3 Tbsp. sugar

Powdered Sugar for dusting

Preheat oven to 375 °

Mix cream cheese, vanilla and sugar together. Once whipped, mix in strawberries.

Roll out crescent roll dough and scoop mixture into the larger end of the triangle. Carefully roll each one up starting with the larger end. 

Bake for 12-15 minutes or until golden brown. 

Let cool and dust with powdered sugar.

**I had enough of the strawberry mixture left over that I microwaved it a bit to warm it up and I added it to the top of the crescent rolls once they were done before adding the powdered sugar.**

Dinner

Best Meatloaf Ever

Growing up, I never liked meatloaf. My mom would add peppers and onions to it and I hate onions. I would eat it but it was never one of those dinners I asked for. The first time Tate asked me to make meatloaf I called my mom and used her recipe, leaving an end without onions and peppers. Ha! Tate ate it but never asked for it again. Turns out he didn't like it that way either. One day I decided I would try it again and that's when I came up with my meatloaf! I took my moms recipe, added some stuff and took out what I didn't want. Tate, while not even finished with his, asked me to make it again! I call that a win!

This recipe serves 4.

Here's what ya need:

1 lb hamburger meat

1 egg

3/4 cup Italian breadcrumbs (any kind work great too)

3/4 cup milk

1/4 cup ketchup

1 Tbsp. Worcestershire sauce

1/4 tsp salt

1/4 tsp pepper

1/4 tsp season salt

For the topping:

1 Tbsp Worcestershire sauce

1/2 cup ketchup

1/4 cup brown sugar

Preheat over to 375°

Spray loaf pan with cooking spray. Set aside.

In one bowl, mix together dry ingredients and in another mix everything else. Once the meat mixture is finished, add in the dry ingredients. Add to loaf pan. 

Mix together ingredients for topping but DON'T put it on just yet. I always just stick mine in the fridge until it's time.

 Cook for 30 minutes. Remove, add topping, and cook for an additional 15 minutes.  Remove and let it sit for about 5-7 minutes. I paired this with mashed potatoes and corn. Enjoy! 

**Just an FYI.. I'm not saying my mom's meatloaf is disgusting! Ha. It's actually very good minus the onions!**

Pizza Zucchini Boats

This was a new one for us. I kept seeing them on Pinterest and they looked really good. While looking at a picture of one I decided it was something I could make. The first time there was definitely some trial and error but the second time, they were perfect. They were even Brylee approved, and that little girl is super picky! 

This recipe serves 4 (2 boats per person)

Here's what ya need:

4 zucchini 

1 lb sausage

2 cups pasta sauce

1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese

2 Tbsp. Parmesan cheese

1 Tbsp minced garlic

pepperoni to top

salt and pepper to taste

Preheat oven to 400°

In large skillet, brown sausage. Add salt, pepper and garlic. Once sausage is finished, add pasta sauce and cook until warm (about 5 minutes). Then add Parmesan cheese.

Meanwhile, cut zucchini in half and scoop seeds out. Place in large casserole dish.

When sausage and sauce are cooked, scoop into each zucchini. Top with mozzarella cheese and pepperoni. 

Cook for 12 minutes or until cheese is bubbly. Let sit for about 5 minutes. 

I paired this with a salad and garlic bread. Enjoy! 

I hope you got some great breakfast and dinner/lunch ideas from those! Let me know if you try them!

Bon Appetit - Leah :)